Tag Archives: Liane Moriarty

My, my what a rushed week it has been on top of family stress and work just being a bit full on I am glad to bid farewell to last week and welcome the new week whole heartedly. This Monday post is a little late due to a long dog walk and an array of other personal appointments that we have both had today. Himself and I have had a really tough time this week and we just want to chill and reboot a little.

Onwards . . .

For my eyes

As a hardcore Colgan I have nothing but love for this book and continuation of the Polly and Neil adventure. Must-read for all!

For my ears

Haven’t had much listening time recently so I am looking forward to picking up where I left off with this.

Despite the sun coming out the wind has also been up so I have been able to get my tootsies out whilst wrapping up around my neck to prevent a cold. My feet are one part of my body that I do not like to keep covered up if possible as the more air that gets to them the better so my Birke’s are just awesome.

Just a couple of the new products that I have been using for the past month. My favourite is the brow set as when I get up for work in the morning as I wear no make-up I put a bit of this on and I am ready to go. There really is no point in wearing make up to work as after a whole day it would most probably melt off my face!

With another week on the horizon and plenty to do this meme is the perfect way to say goodbye to weeks gone by and start afresh. This great meme is hosted by Sheila over at Book Journey and is a way for bloggers from all corners of the internet to link up and see what has been happening it other peoples world. Have you tried it yet? You really should.

I am still listening to this audio and loving it. The story is progressing at a glacial pace but from past experience with Moriarty’s books I am sure it will pick up soon. Or at least I hope it will!

My happiness could not be expressed when I got this through the door – I have started it and as suspected I am LOVING it!

Cocktails at Fontaine’s in Stoke Newington with Catherine & the men in our life.
It was the start of a great evening.

Breakfast after a block of night shifts is always necessary and Harrison’s in Balham really fit the bill.

This is one of my favourite make up brushes, it picks up just the right amount of powder without being too heavy on the face. Worth the money and when washed does not lose consistency.

This product is great for a quick fix between regular skin care routines or if you have more time leaving it on a little longer gives stunning results.

I’ll tell you something, something important. Love is a decision. Not a feeling. That’s what you young people don’t realise. That’s why you’re always off divorcing each other. No offence, dear.

So decrees the formidable Connie Thrum of Scribbly Gum Island. She is the chief decision-maker of a rather unconventional family and her word is law. It’s been over 70 years since Connie and her sister Rose visited their neighbours and found the kettle boiling and a baby waking for her feed, but no sign of her parents. The ‘Munro Baby Mystery’ still hasn’t been solved and tourists can visit the abandoned home, exactly as it was found in 1932.

But now Connie has passed away and the island residents ponder her legacy. Sophie Honeywell is looking down the barrel of her 40th birthday and still hoping for that fairytale ending. Her beautiful new friend Grace, the Munro Baby’s grand daughter, can’t tell anyone what she hopes for. It would be too shocking.

Meanwhile, a frumpy housewife makes a pact with a stranger, an old lady starts making her own decisions and a family secret finally explodes on an extraordinary night of mulled wine, fire-eating, and face-painting

My Thoughts . . .

Once again Moriarty’s style of writing has excelled and made me want more but still feel satisfied at the end of the story. The one thing that this book has in common with her other reads is that it took some time to get into the story before it became gripping and had a very short climax.

Scribbly Gum, a place with many secrets that those who hold them close are not yet willing to tell. Between family dilemmas, lies, deceit and a pretty serious bout of post natal depression this story by Liane Moriarty was incredibly gripping. After reading previous books by this author I was on a roll by the time I got to this one and am very happy that I powered through.

Liane Moriarty touches on subjects that are still quite taboo to the naked eye and flaunts them for us to read and educate ourselves if we so wish. All families have issues but the Munroe baby mystery that we are concentrating on is one that could potentially rip a family to shreds and cause all kinds of hoo ha to be casual about it.

Alongside some difficult subjects there is an underlying story about a woman’s search for ‘the one’ in an effect to quell the loud tick of her biological clock. Surrounded by past memories from previous relationships Sophie (our main character) is essentially adopted into the family fold against the wishes of some family members. The reasons behind the detestable feelings towards Sophie are unveiled later in the story but hilarious when you do eventually find out.

Dealing with a family unit that dislike you because of a bad break up is one thing, having to live with them day in day out is an entirely different story. To see how Sophie gets on and to delve into the story of Connie and the Munroe baby mystery you will just have to give this book a read yourself. Despite the slow start it is worth it in the end and if you are already a fan of Moriarty’s gripping writing style you will not be disappointed.

Reading time is back – yes ladies and gents as I have been commuting for a long time recently I have been able to spend more time reading to and from work. It may sound like a little thing but having that time to myself to read and listen to music really has made me feel like my old self. Despite having to get up 1 hour earlier to get to work I feel GREAT. Do you have reading time?

Despite having only listened to part of the first chapter of this book I am actually reading a book written by the man in my life. There is not much I can say at the moment but when it all comes together and I can I will tell all.

Whilst out shopping the other day it was extremely chilly outside and my lips were having none of it. On popping into Primark for some work under shirts I picked up this bad boy and can’t stop using it. It needs a lot of re-application but smells so tasty.

Last week himself and I took a trip to Oxford/Regent Street to get some homely bits – namely memory foam pillows and we got caught up in the crowds and cold.

It’s Monday again and although it is late I figured better late than never to join in with Sheila’s regular Monday meme! This week I actually managed to get some stuff done but I also realised how much I have left to do. With a nerve wracking interview out of the way and still waiting for the results for something that I am feeling quite negative about at the moment I am pressing on. Positivity peeps – that is the word for the week over here.

This one has been finished and I am so hooked on Liane Moriarty’s writing that I have started listening to another one of her books. My review of this one will be up soon so keep your eyes open.

Having just started this I couldn’t tell you what this book is like right now.
You will just have to wait and see!

After washing my hands an insane amount of times on a daily basis at work this is one product that really has done me some good. It keeps my hands soft, supple and smelling exceptionally good. There is currently an offer on at Boots of 3 for 2 so check it out if you are near.

One of my colleagues has had this scent in her locker for some time now and every time she opens her locker despite the smell that emirates from most of lockers of feet hints of Rihanna waft up my nose. Finally I have my own bottle for my locker – soooo sweet!

Pirriwee Public is a beautiful little beachside primary school where children are taught that ‘sharing is caring.’ So how has the annual School Trivia Night ended in full-blown riot? Sirens are wailing. People are screaming. The principal is mortified.

And one parent is dead.

Was it a murder, a tragic accident or just good parents gone bad? As the parents at Pirriwee Public are about to discover, sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal…

LITTLE LIES is a brilliant take on ex-husbands and second wives, mothers and daughters, school-yard scandal, and the dangerous little lies we tell ourselves just to survive.

My Thoughts

Family dramas, friendship, love, hate and even murder!

‘Little people, little problems’ (From the book!)

Jane is a single mother to a beautiful boy called Ziggy and is finding it hard moving to a new community and trying to fit in with all of the ‘perfect’ family surroundings. Despite the beautiful new surroundings there is something shady about Pirriwee but Jane is yet to let on.

Celeste despite being a slender beautiful mother of two with a gorgeous husband and more money than most can dream of there is still something that we do not know – or so it seems. Covering up is never easy but some women make it such a habit that when it does come out it is like you are numb to the subject.

Madeline takes no prisoners, she is upfront and most certainly does not mince her words. With a tongue that could cause a serious bout of whiplash as well as a teenage daughter that is ready to cause havoc and possibly a crime.

Community spirit with plenty of secrets in the background. This story circles around the three womens complicated lives. Between Jane, Celeste & Madeline any woman who reads this book will identify with the narrative somewhere along the lines and hopefully enjoy it immensely. From out there and brash to reserved and much like a ticking time bomb of emotions these ladies become friends and their lives intertwined in ways that not even they could imagine possible.

It is a great of love and support for friends and family as well as delving into a shocking back story that had me on the edge of my seat and wanting to throttle certain characters in the book. Moriarty has a way of bringing her characters to life and making them incredibly relatable.

A deeply thrilling, page turner that even though finished I want more. Once again Liane Moriarty has written a book that has left the reader wanting more.

Last week I returned from Amsterdam on Monday but was too late to put up my Monday post due to ridiculous delays with British Airways. Surprisingly the flight and customer services was awful but thankfully we are home safely.

Finished

I finished this last week and absolutely loved it, my review will be up this week so keep your eyes peeled.

Next Up

In the mood for more Moriarty I started listening to this and it is no surprise that I am already hooked.

€2.50 – 150ml
Last time I went to Amsterdam I remember this product and lucky for me the HEMA shop were still selling it. It smells amazing and although it is over the 100ml mark and I am unable to take it back home it is just the right price to use whilst there and not feel bad leaving it behind.

€4.50 – 30ml

Perfect sized bottle of serum which I can say from experience works on Afro Caribbean hair very well. Leaving my locks feeling well nourished and smelling fresh – also it seems to tame the frizz. Of course I bought it home with me!

Just one of the many delicious coffees we had whilst in Amsterdam – maybe it is because they use creamer instead of milk. Yummy!

Most nights we would take a stroll around the town and on our first night we came across Spongebob watching us.

How is your New Year panning out so far? For me the time is just flying by and things are a bit of a fuzz! With plenty to read/listen and my skin causing me a ridiculous amount of problems with the bitter weather that has been dealt out I just want to curl up with copious amounts of caffeine and chill out. Although I have not made any New Years resolutions there are goals that throughout the year I set myself and slowly try to tick off of my list each month. One goal I am working towards at the moment is a work goal so I won’t be writing it on here but I may be a little bit distracted so bare with me.

So what have you been up to over the past week?

It has certainly taken some time but I am LOVING this book. Although the narration is slightly grating it is a really gripping read that you just don’t know where the next chapter will lead you.

Next on the list . . .

I am contemplating finishing the rest of Liane Moriarty’s books whilst I am in the mood.
However I really am thinking about finishing off this . . .

It has been sitting in my Audible library unfinished for quite some time now so I am thinking I might just have to grin and bear it!

What is on your reading list this week?

I managed to pick this up in the sale on the Collectif website – it was an absolute steal and was delivered today. It fits like a dream and I am in LOVE! The fabric is thick and in abundance! Trying to get it on and off was a bit of a chore but worth every minute! I will take pictures of me in it of course and post that soon.

With the cold weather really battering my skin keeping my hands, face and lips smooth is a task as they are the first areas that feel the brunt. Air conditioning is yet another issue to be dealt with whilst at work that causes chapped lips. This wonderful product really does put paid to harsh weather conditions and artificial air circulation. After washing my hands of course a couple of dabs and my lips are kept moist and smooth. The smell of this product is not for everyone but I like it very much.

As part of the gift set I bought myself last week this lovely product is my go to hand cream for work as it makes my hands feel silky smooth after so many washes of my hands. Have you tried it yet?

With himself we settled in the front room and both spent some laptop/work time together. Although we were working on different projects we chatted, chilled and just had a generally nice evening. Then the Baileys came out – delicious as always!

Although Mikado’s are absolutely delicious there is something about pretzel sticks and nutella that just taste absolutely divine. Soft chocolate with a touch of salt is YUMMY!

As I haven’t blogged for almost a week (a nice refreshing break!) I thought it would be a good idea to start back at the beginning of the week. Why not right?! Also there have been quite a few changes on the blog. Finally taking the self hosted leap has given me so much freedom with my blog and reason to change even more than I already have. The changes that I am planning are quite exciting (for me anyway!).

How is your New Year going so far? Fast, like mine?!

This is one that I have been putting off for a while but after listening to it for a while (thanks to Audible) it is not that bad. After the first two chapters Moriarty’s writing style returns and you know that you are in for the long haul. Once again I am going between reading and listening.

With Christmas well and truly behind me I headed out to pick up a few bits to prepare for the next one. This may sound ridiculously organised but I think it is just sensible as I pay bargain price for premium products (gift wrapping etc) and don’t have to go on a mad rush at the end of the year and spunk a wad of cash for no reason. Whilst bargain hunting I picked up a few toiletries and decided to treat myself to this little gift set. With a couple of items that I was going to buy anyway it was a true bargain and a little treat. Have you treated yourself in the sales yet?

Isn’t it just lovely when you get to take the dog out and even though it is freezing outside it feels incredibly fresh with the ground crunching beneath your boots and you can forget about not feeling your fingers and toes?! No!

Well if dog walking is not your thing how about New Year’s cocktails with a girl friend followed by a late breakfast at one of our favourite haunts! M1lk in Balham is just lovely and if you are close by you really should drop in.

So Christmas is done but we are still waiting for the New Year and things are really starting to take shape over here at Blog A Book. In the next couple of weeks you will be seeing some changes here and there. If there is anything in particular that you would like to see on the blog just send me an email. So back to the late Monday’s post.

I finished listening to this on Audible a couple of days ago and have to say I am glad it is over.
Review will be up soon.

This book is a title from earlier in the year but it has been waiting on my shelf for some time so I figured it would be a good opportunity to read it now and listen along the way. I have read a couple of Moriarty’s books and loved them. Have you read any?

Don’t you just love it when you have an excuse to light some scrummy Yankee Candles! The Christmas scents are particularly yummy smells. Do you have a favourite?

That’s right – two days before Christmas being normal human beings we forgot some bits and had to brave the crowds. This is just a little part of the crowd that we encountered in Stratford Westfield.

Of course I had to get the boy a present and he absolutely loved it – it lasted all of two days.

AX Paris – £45

Although I am working on New Year’s Eve that doesn’t stop me thinking about what I would wear if I was actually going out. There will be a post up tomorrow with other items for an outfit to bring in the New Year. What are you wearing for the big night?